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Vice president discloses family tie to potential RFP bidder and abstains from related vote
Summary
Vice President Wendell disclosed her husband works for H & W Construction before the council approved a resolution allowing the company to bid on an RFP; she stated a potential personal interest and abstained from the roll-call vote.
Vice President Wendell disclosed to the Winchester City Council that her husband works for H & W Construction and that her family could realize a reasonably foreseeable benefit from the company's participation in a pending request for proposals. The disclosure occurred during consideration of a resolution that would allow H & W Construction to bid on a city RFP.
City Attorney Melissa Michaelson presented the resolution (R-2025-46) and explained it would merely permit H & W to bid; the city's administrative process and the resolution do not guarantee award. Wendell stated, "My husband works for H and W Construction, so I would like to hereby disclose ... that I have a personal interest in the transaction" and noted annual income from that business may exceed $5,000. She then abstained when the clerk called the roll.
Why it matters: The council recorded the disclosure on the public record and the abstention aligned with the recusal practice described during the discussion. Council proceeded with a roll-call vote; the resolution passed with one abstention recorded.
The council will continue procurement procedures under the city's rules; any contract award to H & W would be conducted through the normal competitive process and any subsequent contract award would be reported to council.
